Trading cards have been around for decades. From the sports fans collecting baseball and football cards to the gamers exploring their MTG decks and Pokemon collection, everyone enjoys these little cards made of cardstock.
And of course, die-hard fans will do anything they can to get ahold of some of the most rare cards in existence. That’s the same for Pokemon. These are some of the most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold that have created some waves within the community.
With over 900 unique Pokemon and over 9,000 special English-language Pokemon cards to collect, there are a lot of items to get your hands on if you’re trying to collect ’em all. From five- to seven-digit numbers, here are the most expensive Pokemon cards that have ever sold.
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Are Pokemon Cards Worth Collecting?
Definitely!
Pokemon cards, like several other trading cards, are worth a pretty decent value if you know what to look for. The higher the rarity, the better the condition, and the higher the investment you can make with the cards.
While there is some great emotional and nostalgia value in these cards, especially for those who grew up with the show and games, there is also some great money that can be made.
Trading these cards is the main purpose, along with battling, so trading your findings for higher cards is the main quest. If you end up finding a decent card in your collection, you might be able to invest depending on demand.
Most Expensive Pokemon Cards
20. Torchic-Holo #108 Gold Star, $25,400
Starting strong, we have the 2004 Gold Star Torchic-Holo edition. The Fire-type Pokemon is lighting the way to the start of the most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold. With a PSA grading of a MINT 10, there’s no doubt this is one of the best finds for Pokemon collectors.
Introduced in Generation III, Torchis is one of the three starters for Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, and is a fan-favorite, which only adds to the love that this card provides.
19. Dragon Frontiers Gold Star Holographic Charizard, $60,006
EBay is home to some amazing finds, from sports memorabilia to antique and vintage finds, and even Pokemon cards.
Some of the most expensive Pokemon cards have been sold through the platform, and it’s becoming more and more safe to use now that there are preventative measures to make sure you’re not getting scammed.
That being said, the Charizard-Holo #100 Gold Star is one of the most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold, sitting at a staggering price of $60,000, a huge number for one of our first entries on the list today. This goes to show how much people will spend to complete a collection.
18. 1996 Pokemon Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Holo Venusaur, $65,100
This Japanese language card is missing a stamp in its bottom right corner, making it a scarce find. The card was sold for $65,100 in October 2020.
Venusaur is another beloved Pokemon and is a dual-type, Grass, and Poison, introduced in Gen I. Venusaur can be seen as the game mascot for Pokemon Green and its remake, Pokemon LeafGreen, appearing on the box art of both games.
17. 1999 Pokemon Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind, $65,100
Only 12 copies of this card were produced and given out as prizes in the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle Tournament. The card was sold in October 2020 for $65,100.
16. 2010 Pokemon World Championship Master’s Key, $66,000
Shown at the PWCC Marketplace, one of the most expensive Pokemon cards sold for over $60,000. The cards were made specifically for the World Championships in Hawaii in 2010, so there is a very limited amount, only 36 total ever created.
Despite them only being made for participants, one card made its way to the public and sold for over $26,000 in 2020. In 2023, another sale at PWCC Marketplace sold for over double that price, giving us this staggering amount and one of the most expensive Pokemon cards.
15. University Magikarp Tamamushi 1998 Nintendo Pokemon Japanese Promo, $66,100
Surprisingly, one of the most hated Pokemon is one of the most expensive cards. Magikarp is often made fun of throughout the franchise, with several players hating it all together, as they don’t see that it’s worth evolving.
However, others believe that when evolved into Gyarados, it is a decent Pokemon. That being said, it’s ironic that Magikarp can make waves, selling on eBay for over $66,000 in 2021. The water type was introduced in Gen I and is one that many can agree to disagree with it being useful.
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14. 2005 Pokemon Japanese Play Promo Holo Umbreon Gold Star #26, $78,000
Getting higher on the list, we’ve reached $78,000 for the Umbreon-Holo card. This card was designed by Masakazu Fukuda and was created for the Pokemon Player’s Club.
The players that reached 70,000 exp points by the end of the fourth season were able to receive this card, making it incredibly hard to come across.
Not only this, but Umbreon, the dark-type evolution of Eevee, is a popular Pokemon that many cherish and strive to have. Introduced in Gen II, this Pokemon is only obtainable when leveling up Eevee with a high enough friendship during the night, and is truly a spectacular-looking Pokemon.
13. 1999 Pokemon Game 1st Edition #2 Blastoise Holo, $80,000
From elegant-looking Pokemon to ones that look like they could crush you, let’s check out the Blastoise-Holo card, one of the most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold. This was sold on eBay at an astounding price of $80,000, and has a MINT 10 PSA Grading, making it a worthwhile purchase for Pokemon collectors.
Blastoise is a water-type Pokemon introduced in Gen I and evolves into Wartortle, its final form from Squirtle. With only a bit over 100 cards made, this is one that Pokemon enthusiasts should keep an eye out for.
12. 1999 Super-Secret Battle No 1, Trainer, $90,000
This rare card was given to finalists in elite tournaments held in a secret location in 1999. It was sold for $90,000 in July 2020.
11. Snap Magikarp, $136,000
Pokemon is a large franchise with several games, movies, and shows. And some forms of media have been lost over time.
In 1996, Pokemon had a game called Pokemon Snap, which essentially had players running around taking photos of all sorts of Pokemon. And while there is a new one currently available for players who have the Switch, it’s not the same, as it doesn’t have the following base that it used to have.
For instance, one of the most expensive Pokemon cards didn’t come from that game. Pokemon Snap barely has any cards around, but the one that took the community by storm is the Snap Magikarp card that sold for $136,000, according to House of Cards TCG.
10. 2006 Pokemon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer, $110,100
This card was sold for $110,100 in February 2021. In 2006 the card was given as a trophy to the Pokemon World Championship finalists. Only three copies of this card exist.
9. 2000 Pokemon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9, $144,300
This card was sold for $144,300 in May of 2021. Only three cards feature the legendary cover Pokemon from the Pokemon SoulSilver game with a PSA rating of 10.
Lugia is a psychic flying legendary Pokemon introduced in Gen II and is the mascot for the Pokemon Silver game along with its remake SoulSilver, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, as Shadow Lugia.
8. Kangaskhan – Holo #115 Family Event Trophy Card, $150,000
There are only three copies of this card, making it one of the rarest Pokemon cards going. This super-rare card sold for $150,000 in October 2020. The three cards have been sold in the last two decades, making them unlikely to resurface again any time soon.
Kangaskhan is a normal-type Pokemon introduced in Gen 1. While it isn’t known to evolve into any other Pokemon, it is known to Mega Evovle into Mega Kangaskhan using the Kangaskhanite.
7. 2017 Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card, $247,230
This customized card featured the Pokemon Company’s president and was given to the Pokemon employees for their 60th birthday in 2017. A copy of the card signed by the owner was sold for $247,230 in April of 2021.
6. Bronze Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Trophy, $300,000
Pikachu in itself is a worthwhile purchase, as they are the game’s mascot, as well as the shows. Pikachu is the icon of Pokemon, and so of course this would be on the list of the most expensive Pokemon cards.
This card is from the 1997 tournament, the first Pokemon TCG tournament ever, and was earned and awarded to four trainers who placed third place in four different contests during the two-day event. PSA has certified four copies earning NM-MT 8 with none graded higher.
5. Pokemon Blastoise #009/165R Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram, $350,000
Pokemon Blastoise was sold at auction for $350,000. This card is only two of a kind created in 1998 by Wizards of the Coast. I would check your Pokemon cards because you could be sitting on a money maker you didn’t know about.
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4. 1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4, $420,000
1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4 was sold in March 2022 for $420,000. Only 121 copies of the card have been rated as a Gen Mint 10 by the PSA.
The fire-flying type Pokemon was introduced in Gen I and evolved from Charmander, evolving into Charmeleon as the final form. Charizard is another iconic Pokemon and is the game’s mascot for Pokemon Red and its remake, Pokemon FireRed.
3. 1998 Pikachu Silver Trophy, $444,000
We’ve checked out a bronze trophy, and now we have a silver trophy featuring an adorable Pikachu in all its glory holding a silver trophy.
This was for the 1998 tournament for those who made it to second place and was sold for over $440,000 through Goldin auctions. This is one of the most expensive Pokemon cards and one that you will rarely see up on the market.
2. 1005 Pokemon Japanese Topsun Charizard Scarce Blue Back, $493,230
Another Charizard card, we have the second most expensive Pokemon card ever sold, and it went through Goldin Auctions. Graded with a MINT 10 by PSA, this one is incredibly hard to find with only 31 copies recorded in the company’s census reporting.
This card pre-dates Pokemon “game” pieces, instead of going back to the character’s origin in the “anime” realm. And while it carries a 1995 date, this card was distributed in 1997.
1. Pikachu Illustrator, $5.275 million
Logan Paul bought the Pikachu Illustrator for $5.275 million. This is a grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator Card, of which only 39 were ever given out during 1997 and 1998 Pokemon illustration contests. Only 23 of those have been certified by the PSA, which makes this card very rare.
